Hitch for tractor mounted implements



F. E. SEEBURGER HITCH FOR TRACTOR MOUNTED IMPLEMENTS June 22, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet lV Filed May 29, 1950 Gftomeg F. E. SEEBURGER HITCH FOR TRACTOR MOUNTED IMPLEMENTS -June 22, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 29, 1950 Cttorneg Patented June 22, 1954 HITCH FOR TRACTOR MOUNTED IMPLEMENTS Frederic E. Seeburger, Coal Valley, Ill., assignor to J. I. Case Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application May 29, 1950, Serial No. 164,970

Claims. 1

This invention relates to hitches for tractormounted implements and especially to a hitch jaw for conveniently connecting the implement to the hitch.

An object of this invention is to provide a hitch jaw which can be used to mount a variety of implements;

Another object is to provide a hitch jaw which will prevent inadvertent unhitching of the implement upon a forward shifting of the hitch pin;

Another object is to provide a hitch jaw having a latch which will not be lifted by sudden impact with the hitch pin;

Another object is to provide a hitch jaw having a latch which is adapted to be solidly supported against distortion under such sudden impacts;

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such Variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention.

In order to make the description clear, forwardly will signify in the direction of progress of the tractor and rearwardly in the direction opposite to such direction of progress, and transversely is understood to be any direction other than parallel to the above directions.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a tractor implement hitch embracing this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged right side elevational view of the hitch jaw embracing this invention;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the hitch jaw;

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the same looking forwardly toward the tractor;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 2 with the latch open, indicating a latch pin being inserted in the hitch;

Fig. 6 is a View of a section taken at 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of the hitch pin and the means of attaching the implement thereto.

The tractor-mounted type of farm implement is becoming increasingly popular, because it can be raised from the ground and transported Without requiring means of support other than the 2 tractor on which it is mounted. Other reasons for the popularity of a tractor mounted implement are that it allows working closer to the corners of a field and that it has the ability to be backed up without jackkning or doubling up at an angle to the tractor.

A tractor mounted implement usually requires a special form of hitch jaw which will enable an operator to release the implement without leaving his seat on the tractor. This latch jaw must be of a rugged construction in order to withstand the additional stresses imposed upon it when the implement is raised for transport, as well as those stresses induced when the iinplement is in Working position.

Fig. 1 shows a tractor T provided with rearwardly-extending hitch arms A having mounted thereon a plow P. A pair of hitch jaws J are secured at the ends of arms A. As we are primarily concerned with the hitch jaws, the other details of mounting the implement to the tractor will not be described except when found necessary in order to clearly set forth the invention.

Hitch arms A are preferably of tubular construction and are supported in brackets lil and Il. Pivot pins l2 and i3 provide pivotal support for arms A, allowing the latter to be raised or lowered in vertical planes.

Hitch jaws J are identical with the exception that one is preferably right-handed and the other left-handed; therefore only one will be described. The body I4 is preferably of steel and is of the shape shown. A shank l5 is machined to t the bore i6 of arm A so that the shank is free to turn, and of a length sufcient to support the loads induced when transporting the implement to or from the held. The body I4 is shaped as shown and a reinforcement Il is provided on each side between the body I4 and shank I5 for the purpose of strengthening the jaw J, and a rib Ill also serves to strengthen the hook portion of body I4. Center holes I9 and 20 are provided so that the jaw can be mounted upon centers when machining the shank l5. Body lll extends rearwardly and is provided with a notchlike hook opening 2l which is open upwardly and forwardly. A recess or reentrant wall portion 22 is formed to receive a hitch pin or pintle 23 which will be described later.

Plow P is carried by a transverse pull bar 24 which is supported by hitch pins 23 at both ends thereof in jaws J. Bar 24 is so made as to allow side draft adjustment by rotation of the bar which detail is not part of this invention and need not be further considered except when necessary in describing the invention.

Hitch pin 23 provides the support of the plow relative to the arm A and is threadedly engaged in the end of pull bar 24 as shown in Fig. 7. The threaded hole in the pull bar 25., is pref erably blind and hitch pin 2? in the present embodiment is turned to the bottom, leaving a sufficient length of shank 25 extending to freely accommodate the thickness of body if, thereon. A head 25 is provided on pin 23 to prevent inadvertent displacement of jaw J from pin 23 and for other purposes.

A latch 2l serves to prevent displacement of the hitch pin 23 in a fore-and-aft direction from the recess 22. Latch 2l comprises an upper portion 28 provided with ears 29 and 3c, ear Sii terminating in an extension or arm 3l having a hole 32. The purpose of hole 32 will be made clear later. Latch 2l' has a rearwardly and upwardly extending portion or connection 33 provided with a hole 3. A rope or cable 35 is secured in hole Ell and extends to a point convenient to the tractor operator so that latch 2lk can be operated without leaving the tractor seat.

Latch 2l is pivoted forwardly to body Ill at the point shown on a pin 36 having a head 3l pin 36 passing through ears 29' and 3i) and body iii. A cotter 3S or similar fastening' means prevents pin 3c from being axially displaced.

Latch 2l has a portion 3Q which provides an abutment for hitch pin 23 as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. Portion 3a is provided in this instance with an arcuate groove 5.0 directioned transversely of the latch 2l and which groove forms a seat against which hitch pin 23 abuts when the latter is shifted forwardly in recess 22. A portion lli formingpart of latch si serves to provide a solid abutment for latch 2l against a complementary face l2 on body lll, to protect the latch from damage if a sudden force displaces hitch pin 23 toward the tractor, said complen mentary face :i2 on body lli forming an abutment for the portion di thereby absorbing the shock of sudden impacts so that neither latch 2l nor pin 35 will be bent or otherwise injured. Body 28 of latch 2l is provided with a stop 28a which contacts body I4 when rope 35 is pulled by the operator, Surface Ilia is disposed at an angle suchthat hitch pin 23. will be biased downwardly into hook portions 2i upon backing the tractor with latch 2l in the position shown in Fig. 5.

Jaw J, as mentioned before, is adapted to rotate about `a fore-and-aft axis in arm A to a limited extent. The purpose of this rotation is to allow vertical angular adjustment of arms A relative to each other. Such adjustment would be interfered with unless freedom of rotation of hitch laws J were allowed.

Although freedom of rotation of jaws J is necessary, it should be limited in order that recesses 22 of the jaws of arms A-A are always positioned substantially so that hitch pins '3 will freely enter the recesses 22. In order to secure shanks l within arms A--A and to limit rotation of jaws J, slots 43 and lid are cut in arms A preferably diametrically opposite each other as shown in Fig. 6, being of a sufficient vertical length to allow angular rotation of shank i5. Shank I5 has preferably diametrically therethrough, abolt 45 havinga head Head it is of hexagonal shape in this instance and of a width to freely slide in slot 43. Portion All of bolt 45 is threaded to receive a nut fl-B. A key 49 of a width to freely slide in, slot lldhas a hole 4 to allow the key to be assembled on bolt l5 as shown in Fig. 6. After key 38 is assembled with bolt d5 and inserted in slot 44, nut is is threaded on bolt d5 and tightened. This arrangement, prevents the removal of shank l5 and allows the latter to freely rotate a limited amount.

Bolt d5 is provided with a hole 5i! and a tension spring l is secured at its end in hole 32 of extension 3i and hole 50. The purpose of spring 5i is to maintain latch 2l in engagement with hook opening 2i against Vibration which may dislodge it.

'l'hc operation of the device is thought to be clear from the description. However, it might be pointed out that the plow P is drawn through the arms A-A by means of the hitch pins or pintles 23 engaged with the hook-like surfaces 220i the jawsJ'-J. If one of the arms A operates at a different elevation than the other for any reason, shanks I5 may shift or rotate slightly in arms i-A to align themselves with hitch pins 23. if for any reason, such as backing theY tractor, extremely rough ground or the like, a reverse thrust is developed so that hitch pin 23 is forced against latch 2l, it is received inrecess or groove it@ and has no tendency to raise latch 2 out of notch-like opening 2l. Such a force may be very substantial, perhaps in the form of an impact, and damage to latch 21 or pin 35 under these conditions is avoided by direct contact between portion 4| on the latch and abn*- rnent @.2 on the solid portion of body I.

When it is desired to connect the implement to the tractor, the implement will ordinarily be standing on the ground with hitch pins 23 extending in horizontal positions. Arms A-A are lowered by means not described since they form no part of the present invention, and the tractor is backed into position with jaws J-J lower than hitch pins 23-23. Ropes 35-35 are then pulled to position Vlatches 2'i-21 in the relation indicated in Fig. 5. The tractor is then backed and the arms A--A adjusted until hitch pins 23-23 enter between bodies I-Id and latches El-2l- Surfaces Mc--lila engage hitch pins 523-23 and, tend to guide jaws'J-J upwardly, and hitch pins 23-,23 downwardly so that it is comparatively easy to position them in the notches ZI-ZE. Arms A-A are then raised slightly and immediately when the tractor is driven forward hitch pins 23-23 shift into recesses 22-22 and latches 27-21 drop into place or into the position indicated in Figs. l and 2, when the hitch is complete so far as hitch pins 23-23 are concerned.

To release the implement, arms A-A are lowered until, with the implement resting on the ground, latches 2'l-2l are raised, the tractor backed slightly, arms A-A lowered slightly further and the tractor is driven away.

The above being a complete description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, whatis claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. In a tractor Vhaving rearwardly-extending hitch armsfor attaching an implement, said im- Y plement having transverse hitch pins, hitch jaws secured to the ends; or" said arms, each of said jaws swivelly associated with one of saidy arms. about a fore-a'nd-aft axis, and provided witha hook having a forwardly directedrecesszportion for engaging one of said hitch pins, said recessportion being of, a depth in excess of the radius of the cross section of the hitch'pin for preventing up and down movement of the hitchpin whenf engaged in said recessportion, a latch pivoted` 5.., onsaid jaw forwardly of said hook and 4provided with a rearward surface forming an abutment extending into said hook portion and blocking the exit of said recess portion to retain said hitch pin in said hook against forward displacement thereof, said abutment being provided with a transverse groove positionediso as to engage said hitch pin upon forward impact of the latter with said abutment, the said impact being directed along a fore-and-aft axis passing beneath the axis of said latch pivot in order to bias said latch toward'said hook and resilient means to bias said latch into engagement with said hook.

2. In a tractor having rearwardly-extending hitch arms for attaching an implement, said implement having transverse hitch pins, hitch jawsfsecured to the ends of said arms, each of said jaws swivelly associated with one of said arms about a fore-and-aft axis, and provided with a hook having a forwardly directed recess portion for engaging one of said hitch pins, said recess portion being of a depth in excess of the radius of the cross section of the hitch pin for preventing up and down rattling thereof when engaged in said recess portion, a latch pivoted on said jaw forwardly of said hook and provided with a rearward surface forming an abutment extending into said hook portion to block the exit of said recess portion and to retain said hitch pin in said hook against forward displacement thereof upon impact with said abutment, the said impact being directed along a fore-andaft axis passing beneath the axis of said latch pivot in order to bias said latch toward said hook, and resilient means to bias said latch into engagement with said hook.

3. In a tractor having rearwardly extending hitch arms for attaching an implement, said implement having transverse hitch pins, hitch jaws secured to the ends of said arms each of said jaws swivelly associated with one of said arms about `a fore-and-aft axis, and provided with a hook having a forwardly directed recess and a front upright wall portion, said recess engaging one of said hitch pins and being of a depth substantially equal to the radius of the cross section of the hitch pin, a latch pivoted on said jaw provided with a rearward surface forming an abutment extending into saidihook portion so as to block the exit of said recess portion and to retain said hitch pin in said hook against forward displacement thereof upon impact with said abutment and a portion on said latch lying substantially in contact with said front upright Wall when said latch is in said hook portion whereby to supportsaid latch against distortion in the event of backward thrust in said drawbar, and resilient means to bias said latch into engagement with said hook.

4. In a tractor hitch, a hitch jaw mounted to swivel about a fore-and-aft axis and having a hook provided with a forwardly directed recess portion for engaging a transverse hitch pin of an implement in said recess portion, said recess portion being of a depth in excess of the radius of the cross section of the hitch pin for preventing up-and-down rattling of the hitch pin therein, a latch pivoted on said jaw forwardly of said hook and provided with an abutment adjacent the rearward surface thereof extending into said hook for blocking the exit of said recess portion to retain said hitch pin in said hook against forward displacement thereof, said abutment being provided with a transverse groove 5. In a tractor hitch, a hitch jaw mounted to, swivel about a fore-and-aft axis and having a.

hook provided with a forwardly directed recess portion for engaging a transverse hitch pin of an implement therein, said recess portion being of a depth in excess ofthe radius of the cross section of said hitch pin for preventing up-anddown rattling of the hitch pin therein when said hitch pin is operatively received therein, a latch.

pivoted on said jaw forwardly of said hook and provided with a rearward surface forming an,

abutment extending into said hook to block the exit of said recess portion and to retain said hitch pin therein against forward displacement of said pin upon impact with said abutment, the said impact being directed along a fore-and-aft axis passing beneath the axis of said latch pivot in order to bias said latch toward said hook, and

resilient means to bias said latch into engage-` ment with said hook.

6. A hitch jaw for engagement with the transverse hitch pin of an implement comprising a hook having a forwardly directed recess portion, said recess portion being of a depth substantially equal to the radius of the cross section of said hitch pin for receiving said hitch pin, said recess portion preventing up-and-down movement of the hitch pin therein when the pin is operatively received therein, a latch pivoted on said jaw at a point spaced from said hook portion and provided with a rearward surface forming an abutment extending into said hook to block the exit of said recess portion and to retain said hitch pin in said hook against forces tending to displace said pin therefrom, said abutment being provided with a transverse groove,

positioned so as to engage said hitch pin upon forward impact of the latter with saidmabutment,

the said impact being directed along an axis' passing without the axis of said latch pivot in order to bias said latch toward engagement with said hook, and resilient means to bias said latch into engagement with said hook.

7 In a hitch for use with a tractor having a rearwardly extending hollow drawbar pivoted for up and down swinging movement, said hitch comprising a shank portion journaled for rotative movement in the rear end of said hollow drawbar, said drawbar providing opposed slotted holes extending for a limited distance circumferentially of said drawbar, a pin traversing said shank and extending into said slotted holes to prevent withdrawal of said shank while providing freedom for tilting of said shank therein, a body portion providing an upwardly directed notch-like opening having a front upright wall portion and a rear reentrant wall portion forming a hook-like pintle-retaining recess, a latch element having a pivotal connection on said body portion forwardly of said notch-like opening, extending over said body portion and having a portion extending downwardly into said notchlike opening, said latch having a hollow seat opposed, when said latch is within said notch-like opening, to said reentrant wall portion, said latch being swingable about its pivotal connection into and out of said notch-like opening, a portion on said latch lying in contacting relation with saidv upright wall portion when saidl latch'eler v8. In a hitch for. use. with a tractor having aV rearwardly.` extending' drawbar, said hitch including a body portion providing an upwardly directed notch-like opening havingv a front.Y upright: wall portion and ac, rear reentrant wall portion forming a hook-like pintle-retaining recess,.a latch element having a pivotal connection on said'body portion forwardly of said notchlike opening, extendingv over said body portion and having a portion extending downwardly into the rearward surface of said notch-like opening, said latch having a hollow seat opposed, when said latch is within said notch-like opening, to said reentrant wallportion for blocking the exit of said reentrant-wall portion, said latch being swingable about its pivotalV connection into and outof. saidnotch-like opening, an upright abutmentcportion` on said latch lying in contacting relation with saidV uprightwall portion opposed to said reentrant wall portion when said latch Velement is in position in said notch-like opening for transmitting the shock imposed upon said latch element to said body portion instead of tothe pivotal connection of the latch element in the event of backward thrust in said drawbar, whereby to support said latchagainst distortion in the event of backward thrust in said drawbar, a spring engaged with said latch for yieldingly holding said latch in said notch-like opening, and means for shifting said .latch out of said notch-like opening in opposition to said spring and into. pintle receiving and releasing position.

9. In ahitch foruse with a tractor having a rearwardlyextending hollow drawbar, said hitch including a shank portion journaled for rotative movement; in the rear end ofv saidhollow drawbar, said drawbar` providing opposed slotted holes extending for a limited distance circumferenr tially of said drawbar, a pin traversing said shank and extending into said slotted holes to prevent withdrawal of said shank while providing freedom for tilting of said shank therein, a body portion providing an upwardly directed notchlike. opening having Ya rear` reentrant wall portion forming a hook-like pintle-retaining recess,

ailatch' element; having af pivotal connectionon said body portion forwardlyk of said notch-like opening, extending over said body portion and having a portion extending downwardly into said notch-like opening, said latch being swingable about its pivotal connection into and out of said notch-likeopening, a springY engaged with the latch for yieldingly Yholding said latchY in said notch-like opening, and means'ior shifting said latch out of said notch-like opening in opposition to said spring and into pintleV receiving and releasing position.

1o. In a hitch for use with a tractor having;

a rearwardly extending drawbar, said hitch including a body portion on said drawbar providing an upwardly directed notch-like opening having a front upright wall portion and a rear reentrant wall portion forming a hook-like pintleretaining recess, a latch element having a pivotal connection on said body portion forwardly of said notch-like opening, extending over said body portion and having a portion extending downwardly into said notch-like opening for blocking the exit of the pintle-retaining recess, and being swingable about its pivotal connection into and out of said notch-like opening, an upright abutment portion on said latch lying in contacting relation with said upright-wall portion opposed to said rear reentrant wall portion when said latch element is in position in said notch-like opening, whereby to support said latch against distortion in the event of backward thrust in said drawloar by transmitting the shock of said backward thrust in said drawbar to said body portion instead of to the pivotal connection of said like, opening, and means for shifting said latchV out of said notch-like opening in opposition to said spring and into pintle receiving and releasing position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,287,459 Schroeder Dec. 10, 1918 1,832,042 Mohr Nov. 17, 1931 1,860,973 Y Yeakel May 31, 1932 1,870,606 Contes Aug. 9, 1932 2,239,320 Haniquet" Apr. 22, 1941 2,375,970 Williams May 15, 1945 2,401,183 Pool et al May 28, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Y 114,832 Australia Mar. 19, 1942 

